US Considers Sale of Armed Drones; But Does India Really Need Them?

India is developing its own armed drones which should be available to the armed forces in the next five-seven years. Experts say American drones could be purchased for deep surveillance into Pakistani and Chinese territory. But, there is no pressing need for armed drones as of now.

NEW DELHI (Sputnik) — Less than a week after citing an array of reasons behind its reluctance to share key defense technology with India, the United States has indicated its willingness to sell its state-of-the-art armed predator drones to the Indian Air Force (IAF). A top official from the Trump administration was quoted by the PTI as saying "yes, yes" to a question about whether the US was considering India's pending request for the purchase of the General Atomics Predator C Avenger unmanned aircraft as part of its armed forces' modernization drive.

"We are always looking into this, in terms of Foreign Military Sales, but really also in terms of broad defense cooperation on how to strengthen our relationship and cooperation," the official told PTI on condition of anonymity.

On October 18, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson clarified that the US was ready to share technology with India but would not part with some closely guarded defense technologies as it would hurt the country's competitive advantage. Tillerson, in his lengthy speech, however, did not specifically mention armed drones' technology.

"Indeed, he (Tillerson) offered the clearest statement by any US official yet about why India — designated "major defense partner" — can expect no cutting-edge military technology, EVER," Bharat Karnad, India's top defense analyst said.

In June this year, the US had cleared the sale of 22 unarmed MQ-9B Guardian UAVs to India for maritime surveillance. However, the Indian Navy is not keen on taking the deal forward as it is particularly interested in the armed version of the drone, which the US is reluctant to share.

India is developing its own armed drone "Ghatak." However, it is estimated that this will take at least five-seven years, if everything goes according to plan, to be available for the armed forces. Experts are of the view that India does not immediately require armed drones as it is not battling any adversary.

"My understanding is that India does not have a pressing need for armed drones, which are optimized for operations in permissive airspace. India is not fighting any adversary in permissive airspace. Both Chinese and Pakistan airspace is heavily contested. The IAF's interest in the MQ-9B and the Indian Navy's interest in the Heron TP stem from their excellent surveillance capabilities. The IAF wants to look deep into China and Pakistan while operating within the safety of Indian airspace," Vijainder K Thakur, former squadron leader of Indian Air Force told Sputnik.

If America approves the sale of armed drones to India, New Delhi will have to spend $8 billion on acquiring the system without any technology transfer.

Actually yes. Each drone needs a SAM to take it down. So we send 100 drones in Pak, Pak fires it's entire inventory of 8 SAMs and 9 A2A missiles to get it down. Then, suddenly devoid of air cover we can intrude at will

Actually yes. Each drone needs a SAM to take it down. So we send 100 drones in Pak, Pak fires it's entire inventory of 8 SAMs and 9 A2A missiles to get it down. Then, suddenly devoid of air cover we can intrude at will

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I didn't understand why do these drones HAVE to be American drones. We have our own Rustom etc., Why wouldn't we be using our own. At least that is what I understood from the headlines. Do we really need American drones since we have our own.

I didn't understand why do these drones HAVE to be American drones. We have our own Rustom etc., Why wouldn't we be using our own. At least that is what I understood from the headlines. Do we really need American drones since we have our own.

Actually yes. Each drone needs a SAM to take it down. So we send 100 drones in Pak, Pak fires it's entire inventory of 8 SAMs and 9 A2A missiles to get it down. Then, suddenly devoid of air cover we can intrude at will

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First thing stop watching HollyWood Movies in fact what you are suggesting is so funny that even no Hollywood Director has been stupid enough to show that in any of their movie or Tv Series.

In June this year, the US had cleared the sale of 22 unarmed MQ-9B Guardian UAVs to India for maritime surveillance. However, the Indian Navy is not keen on taking the deal forward as it is particularly interested in the armed version of the drone, which the US is reluctant to share.

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What idiots. The writer's name is also not mentioned.

The IN doesn't want armed drones, they want surveillance drones. They got a bunch of armed drones from Israel.

"My understanding is that India does not have a pressing need for armed drones, which are optimized for operations in permissive airspace. India is not fighting any adversary in permissive airspace. Both Chinese and Pakistan airspace is heavily contested. The IAF's interest in the MQ-9B and the Indian Navy's interest in the Heron TP stem from their excellent surveillance capabilities. The IAF wants to look deep into China and Pakistan while operating within the safety of Indian airspace," Vijainder K Thakur, former squadron leader of Indian Air Force told Sputnik.

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Drones are not for warfighting, it's for surveillance on our borders. We can detect and kill intruders that much faster if the drone is armed also.

I didn't understand why do these drones HAVE to be American drones. We have our own Rustom etc., Why wouldn't we be using our own. At least that is what I understood from the headlines. Do we really need American drones since we have our own.

Are you Drunk or what S-400 is to protect Indian Air Space not Pakistani. Problem is S-400 is not going to protect you when you enter our Air Space. As for Decoys seriously you think we are not prepared for it. Janab if you had so much power you would have done strikes after Parliament attack and specially after Mumbai Attack your Air Force hardly even came close to our Air Space so janab wake up and also our Air Defence is getting stronger in every months we are increasing batteries of HQ-16 and HQ-7 and other Air Defence systems we have also soon we would buy Air Defence systems from Russia as well as Europe.

Are you Drunk or what S-400 is to protect Indian Air Space not Pakistani. Problem is S-400 is not going to protect you when you enter our Air Space. As for Decoys seriously you think we are not prepared for it. Janab if you had so much power you would have done strikes after Parliament attack and specially after Mumbai Attack your Air Force hardly even came close to our Air Space so janab wake up and also our Air Defence is getting stronger in every months we are increasing batteries of HQ-16 and HQ-7 and other Air Defence systems we have also soon we would buy Air Defence systems from Russia as well as Europe.

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He was referring to our collective security ( India + Pakistan ) .You see , we don't want the US to target the TTP or Daesh in Pakistan too much
. Once those S-400's are deployed , they will ensure that . Of course if Pindi sincerely believes those JF-17's are true Flying Dragons then those S-400's are there to cater to that too , although the IAF wouod be loathe to use a SAM which costs as much as the target it's destroying .